Elon Musk announces Oct. 28 release date for SolarCity solar roof

We’ll most likely be seeing for the first time Tesla and SolarCity’s new solar roof product on October 28, if Elon Musk’s tweet is anything to go by. The Tesla founder and CEO just announced on social media that this solar roof will be working with version 2.0 of Tesla’s PowerWall solar storage and battery for the home as well as with the Tesla car charger. This integration is seen as moving beyond showing off how these companies can seamlessly work together to showing Musk’s “Master Plan: Part Deux,” where he aims to create a fully self-sustaining solar-powered energy ecosystem that is linked to his zero emission goals between home and transportation.

Tesla is in the process of acquiring SolarCity but it has been facing opposition from shareholders that could cause a delay in the deal. The demo, which could show the value of the system and the partnership, might further Musk’s plans and help soften any opposition to his plans to join Tesla and SolarCity together.

Aiming for Oct 28 unveil in SF Bay Area of new Tesla/SolarCity solar roof with integrated Powerwall 2.0 battery and Tesla charger.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 22, 2016

Source: TechCrunch

Google solar-powered plane crashed in New Mexico

Google’s solar-powered plane didn’t stay up too long in the air as it crashed a bit after takeoff. According to Bloomberg Business, the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating this incident. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident, which happened on May 1^st at a private airfield outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Titan Aerospace, Google’s recently acquired company, built the 50-meter-wide drone. It’s part of the tech giant’s plan to boost global Internet connectivity using stratospheric drones. Google spokeswoman Courtney Hohne told Bloomberg, "Although our prototype plane went down during a recent test, we remain optimistic about the potential of solar-powered planes to help deliver connectivity."

Source: Bloomberg Business | Via: Engadget

Apple patents tech to build solar-powered, cell-enabled MacBooks

Diagram of how future MacBooks can absorb sunlight. (Source: Patently Apple)

Looks like Apple is looking to develop solar-powered MacBooks capable of taking your calls. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently released 31 new patents to Apple. Some of the patents include technologies on how to use solar power to charge a MacBook, how to receive and transmit cellular telephone signals, and create backside touch sensors that would allow you to interact with the laptop with the lid closed.

Solar-powered MacBook can be created with the use of a “smart glass” or electrochromic glass that changes light transmission properties according to voltage, meaning it controls the amount of light and heat it sends out. The patent describes top plate with solar cells that will be sandwiched between smart glass in the back and an LCD display in front. This means users can adjust the smart glass to let light transmit solar cells to charge the device.

Source: ReadWrite

Check the weather in style with Solar

While you get your basic weather information covered by Google Now, Solar for Android introduces a bit of style into your weather checks. The free weather app provides you will colorful, visual information at a single glance. You get the basic temperature, date, current conditions and time on the main screen and you just need to swipe down the main screen to view the three-day forecast for your area. You have to scroll up (not swipe) to see the clock spin and provide you will the 24-hour forecast complete with animation for snow and rain and color change for sunrise and sunset. Swipe in the other directions and see what other functions Solar has for you.

Do not expect to receive temperature notices on the notification panel though or a home screen widget. Solar wants you to experience the app on its own. You can download the app here. If you use an iOS device, Solar has been available for a while now and you can get it for yourself here.

Source: Lifehacker